Two days ago I ran a marathon in Carmel, Indiana, a large suburb of Indianapolis. The day was unusually warm (up to 80 degrees in the early afternoon), which made me think that a running companion would help me significantly – the miles click by effortlessly when there’s someone to talk with. Luckily, I spotted Jeff, a 58-year-old, who was running at my pace and I began a conversation with him. We ran the first 13 miles together. And, being an extrovert, he had no trouble talking. Our chatter made the miles fly by. Eventually, the topic of longevity surfaced after I asked him why he ran marathons.“I don’t know,” Jeff remarked, “but I feel that everyone has his or her own biologic clock. You know, one person might last to 80, another to 90, and some might reach 100.” He reasoned that one’s genes determine one’s life span. Quickly he added that he wanted especially to enjoy his golden years with a high quality of life and, hoping for this, he and his girl friend ate mostly fruits, veggies, salmon, and tuna. Very good. And they both run vigorously. LifeNuts are fit.It’s been shown that genes are responsible for about ten percent of life expectancy; the other 90 percent is attributable to lifestyle. Not wanting to debate this point and lose my running partner, I commented briefly on LifeNuts and the lifestyle change that Mike Fremont made when he was diagnosed with terminal cancer at age 70 and given three months to live. Now, at 93, he has not only beaten the cancer – by choosing a vegan diet and keeping fit, mentally and physically – but he still runs half-marathons and sets world records. I view Mike as someone who over-rode his poor genes by adopting a new lifestyle. He extended his biologic clock and now enjoys a healthy, happy and meaningful life.The next day I gave a talk to a vegan society in Cincinnati. Again, I brought up Mike, who inspired me to start LifeNuts and whose lifestyle continues to impress me. In describing the LifeNuts program, I commented on the power of advertising in the media, the addiction of cheese and meat products, and how some of the most influential people in America (Barron’s most respected CEOs) are also some of the most obese.Yes, I used the term, obese, even though several people in the room fell into this category. However, I clarified that I did not want to embarrass anyone or pick on anyone’s physical condition and hoped I didn’t hurt anyone’s feelings by using this word, which, for the most part is still considered offensive.Obesity, as I wrote about in an op-ed challenge to Warren Buffet – published in our local media (http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/local/montgomery/2015/04/01/column-challenge-warren-buffet/70430828/ ) – causes a massive financial burden that we pass on in our national debt to our grandchildren. Buffet and his wealthy CEO cronies, with all their billions and mighty media influence, must lead America to healthy eating and exercising – instead of promoting their food, drink, and get-sick products. Obesity continues to worsen, our life expectancy drops, and we fall further behind in the longevity world rankings. Right now, America is about 36th, right behind Costa Rica and Slovenia, countries that most folks would have trouble finding on a world map. We’re right where we deserve to be. And that despite spending more per capita on health care than any other developed country.Maybe one of the vegans will convince their local city council members to start the LifeNuts program. I can only hope.